General Motors continues to show consumer preference as 10 of its cars have topped the 5th annual Vincentric Best Value in America awards. BMW and Toyota also had strong showings, with each brand taking home six of Vincentric’s Best Value in America awards.

“Because our awards take into account all costs involved with owning a vehicle, they enable buyers to measure automotive value using a level playing field,” commented David Wurster, President of Vincentric. “By determining value using all ownership costs – and not just a one or two costs such as fuel or monthly payments – buyers can truly understand the impact owning a specific vehicle will have on their financial situation.”

Vincentric measures cost-of-ownership using eight different cost factors: depreciation, fuel, insurance, opportunity cost, financing, maintenance, taxes and state fees, and repairs. Using a statistical model, the company identified the Best Value in America™ by measuring which vehicles have a lower than expected ownership cost given their market segment and price. Each vehicle was evaluated in all 50 states plus DC using a range of annual mileage intervals and insurance profiles.

(Source) Press

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Seeing that the auto industry isn’t showing any sign of improvement, nearly 7,500 workers have opted to grab early retirement options, leaving the big three auto companies (Chrysler, General Motors and Ford), in a move that seems to be better for their end.

Since 2006 General Motors Corporation (GM) (Detroit, Michigan) has made early retirement and buyout offers to its workers three times, with more than 60,000 employees accepting. Ford Motor Company (Dearborn, Michigan) and Chrysler LLC (Auburn Hills, Michigan) have also made similar offers during this time period.

During the latest round of buyout and early retirement offers at GM however, the majority of the employees who have accepted, 7,500 to be exact, will take early retirement rather than the buyout.

(Source) Industrial Info

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